Classic Minecraft launcher officially dead due to Heartbleed security flaw

minecraft_launcher

Minecraft had the same launcher from it's creation to 2013, when Mojang replaced it with the new Minecraft launcher we see today. However, the old launcher continued to be used for those who didn't want to update to the new one. That is, until today. Because today we say goodbye to the original Minecraft launcher, thanks to a bug called Heartbleed.

The bug is called Heartbleed because it piggybacks on a feature called heartbeat, which affects specific versions of the widely-used OpenSSL library. OpenSSL, also known as Open Secure Sockets Layer, is what just about every site and online service uses to transfer sensitive information between you and the internet. Web logins, online banking, and even Minecraft's servers use OpenSSL. Heartbleed was discovered earlier today, and allows hackers to steal user names and passwords from just about any site on the internet (and even more than logins).

Mojang is one of thousands of companies affected by the bug, and earlier today all login servers were shut off to fix the bug. Around an hour later, the servers came back online with the bug fixed and a new Minecraft launcher update. Unfortunately, the launcher now uses a fixed security certificate that cannot be ported back to the older launcher. To avoid players' accounts being hacked, Mojang has decided to shut down the old Minecraft launcher.

This means that the old Minecraft launcher, as well as all custom launchers that use the old login protocol, are now disabled and cannot login to Minecraft. The new Minecraft launcher appears to be running normally now, however some custom launchers are having issues logging in.

Source: Twitter

Comments

  1. #1 Mcpe News Source!April 8, 2014 at 10:43 AM

    That's sad :(

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  2. That's not as easy as you would think.

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  3. Yes, it is. I still have the app on my computer though, to bring back the old memories. (Of the three days before the new launcher came out, because that's when I got Minecraft on my computer XD)

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  4. well i miss the 1. whatever it was to the 1.5 launcher, goodbye old one and thanks alot heartbleed

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  5. Thats okay because I play offline due to Jerks killing you with there diamonds and blowing your house up.

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  6. Oh well... lets all just get on with our lives :/

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  7. Because for every good programmer there is a bad programmer and they are developing better security/hacking software at a similar rate... To put it simple.

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  8. Its the logging in that is the problem, not the servers.

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  9. Tris, you have no clue how hard it is to even create a security system, let alone develop one that can't be hacked. When you decide to put 100+ hours into working on an un-hackable system, please tell us! Someone will hack it within a day. As technology always evolves, the baddies always get a hold of it.

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  10. welp i dont mind i didnt like the old launcher much new one is wayyy better

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  11. no computer system is invulnerable, there is a reason there are still hackers.

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  12. will this affect the technic launcher?

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  13. probably like 500 hours for a hard to hack system

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  14. Really I'm pretty sure Heartbleed only affects https sites that use openssl

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  15. Those "idiots" are very likely the reason you're alive with as much luxury as you have, as well as the reason you're going to live as long as you will. Think before you comment.

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  16. so can I play on minecraft? I mean, will it be safe?

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  17. Yes, the vulnerability has been fixed. It's safe to play :)

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  19. I've been waiting for the cut for almost a year, Good Job Mojang!

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  20. me too new allows easy peasy version switching (so i can play on any server :))

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  21. Incorrect. That's only about 21 days of work. Technically, creating an un-hackable security system is impossible.

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  22. Such a disappointment, right when i'm about to downgrade to an old technic version.

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  23. NO! Technic Launcher isn't connected to the old launcher. Technic control their own launcher.

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  24. or minecraft forge

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  25. Now I cant install too many items and optifine for 1.5.2 :(

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  26. I cant mod old versions of minecraft now

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  27. My life is ruined RUINED

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  28. but now the old launcher is dead

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  29. Minecraft was my favorite game

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  30. RIP old launcher :'(

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  31. i started playing minecraft in beta 1.7.3
    I wish i started earlier

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  32. Please don't post a bunch of comments.

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  33. FFXIV Gil

    Nobody can do a better job than you.

    ReplyDelete

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